If you've said yes to the first question and at least one of the last two questions, I highly recommend you come to the First Thursday group run at Fit Right NW this Thursday, July 1, 2010.

Here's a timeline to get you there on schedule and prepared:

5:30p: The first runners and walkers begin arriving at Fit Right NW at 2258 NW Raleigh in Portland. Most people will park between NW 23rd and NW 18th because there is free street parking.

5:50p: By now, most everyone should be inside the fenced off area in front of Fit Right NW on NW Raleigh - oh yeah, the street is closed off and it's definitely a party. A DJ plays the latest music, runners are finding their friends or meeting new people to run with, and everyone is getting in position to see the maps when they are brought out at 6p. If you are just arriving, make sure you sign the waiver and get your hand marked so you can get a beer after the run - and make sure you have your ID so you don't have to run back to your car!

Kelly JohnsonDon't get all excited, now, these are maps from April and won't do you any good ...

6:00p: The maps are revealed! Some runners (me) take a picture of the maps and take off, huddling with their friends across the street to plot their routes. Others use the provided pens and pieces of scratch paper to jot down the locations, put their notes in the provided ziploc bags (so they don't get sweaty and unreadable) and head out.

6:05p: Most everyone has cleared the area, and some runners are at the nearest checkpoints already. Once they arrive at a checkpoint, they get a raffle ticket from the checkpoint volunteer, put it safely in their ziploc bag, and then head to the next location.

6:30p: A half hour after the maps were revealed, many runners have been to at least 4-6 checkpoints - whether they are running or walking. The goal is to collect as many raffle tickets as you can (or want) and then return to the store by 7p to turn in your tickets for a chance to win prizes in the raffle. Usually 6:30p is about the time that I start to slow down ... after a solid half hour of fartlek-type running, I'm pretty beat and ready to map out one or two more locations before heading back for the ...

Kelly JohnsonIt's key to lay your raffle tickets out in numerical order ... it helps you claim your prize if you're a lucky runner!

6:50p: BEER! Yes, free beer for those 21+ with valid ID. Even though you have until 7p to collect raffle tickets, I recommend getting back to the store by 6:50p. You'll need to tear your tickets in half and put them in for the drawing, get some water or a more calorie-rich beverage from that month's sponsoring brewery, and organize your tickets so when the raffle begins, you can quickly determine if you've got a winner.

7:00p: The raffle starts at 7p. Run organizer Andrew Buswell does a great job of energetically raffling off sponsor provided prizes, telling runners and walkers about that month's run sponsors, and keeping the crowd pumped up. Make sure you thank the sponsors and listen when they tell you about their store or products ... they make the run possible and any business that loves runners is a business we'll support!

7:10p: "455629 ... 455629 ... Hooray! We have a winner!" The raffle continues, and lucky participants get to take home things ranging from free massage certificates, comfy Wigwam or Teko socks, Fit Right NW gift certificates, or maybe even something like a heart rate monitor! And race entries! CATnip Friday 5k will be giving away two entries this month and again in August ... good luck!

7:30p: By now the event is starting to wrap up with the last few raffle items being awarded and the last pints from the kegs being poured.

7:35p: Participants head to local businesses - we always try to go somewhere that sponsored a checkpoint, like New Old Lompoc Brewery or Sante Fe Restaurant. Flying solo or with just a few friends? Feel free to invite others to head out with you or just chat up some other runners! Trust me: the type of people who go to First Thursday are the type of people we like!